They sound like the names of popular candies or strange video games, but synthetic drugs offer a ride all their own.

Locally these man-made drugs have been increasing in prevalence over the past two years, leading many physicians and lawmakers to question their potency. Considered safe by users and terrifying by the people treating their side effects, synthetic drugs will, according to local experts, probably be here for a long time to come.

WHAT THEY ARE

Synthetic marijuana:

Designed to mimic traditional marijuana, this synthetic substance is filled with man-made compounds that are stronger and longer-lasting than what comes from the Cannabis plant, said Sally Kammerer, associate director at the Cumberland-Perry Drug and Alcohol Commission.

The drug is typically labeled “herbal incense” or “plant food” and is often clearly marked “not for human consumption,” though it does occasionally contain plant material. Users typically smoke the drug, as they would a marijuana cigarette.

Bath salts:

This drug is a combination of man-made chemical compounds, typically mephedrone and MDPV (methylenedioxypyrovalerone). Unlike synthetic marijuana, there is typically no plant material in this drug, and its chemical make-up can be significantly different from package to package.

Breaking it down: synthetic marijuana and bath salts With more and more of these "designer drugs" popping up in local news stories and drug rings, we give you a breakdown of what exactly synthetic marijuana and bath salts are and the effects they can have on users.

This drug is typically ingested through snorting, eating or injection, much like cocaine and other powder/crystalline drugs. The high is known to be quick but experts are split on the addictive qualities associated with the drug.

LEGALLY SPEAKING

Neither bath salts nor synthetic marijuana are legal to sell, produce or possess, according to Harrisburg Police Capt. Elijah Massey. Gov. Tom Corbett signed legislation last August that classified both drugs as controlled substances. President Barack Obama signed a federal ban on more than two dozen varieties of the drugs this month.

The drugs are often sold with misleading packaging. Even worse, chemists continually attempt to get around the law by developing new compounds that aren’t banned, said Jeff Geibel, supervisor for Drug and Alcohol Programs at the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol. That it makes it increasingly harder to regulate these “designer drugs” — the overarching name given to narcotics created and altered by amateur chemists.

THE SIDE EFFECTS:

There are some serious side effects associated with short term use of the drugs that include:

Agitation

Nervousness

Paranoia

Hallucinations

Incoherency

Violence

Increased blood pressure and heart rate

Seizures

It is possible that the drugs could show up on a urine analysis drug test. While some older tests might not be able to pick up the various drugs, Mavis Nimoh, director of Dauphin County’s Drugs and Alcohol Department, said employers have become savvier and many are utilizing newer, more efficient tests.

But typical blood and urine screenings done at local hospitals will often not recognize these type of drugs on their results, making them harder to diagnose and treat, said Dr. Rupen Modi, an emergency physician at Holy Spirit Hospital.

LONG-TERM

Synthetic marijuana and bath salts have been in the country since 2008 and thus haven’t been around long enough for experts to be fully aware of long-term side effects. Most experts, however, said there’s a possibility of severe harm.

Andrew Sullivan, president and CEO of Mazzitti and Sullivan Counseling in Harrisburg, said his service has seen damage to a patients’ brains after synthetic drug use — damage that might not be treatable.

The drugs have also led to murders, suicides and extreme violence, Geibel said.

WHAT ARE THE STREET NAMES?

Synthetic Marijuana:

K2

Spice

Fake Weed

Mr. Nice Guy

Skunk

Demon

Bath Salts:

Ivory Wave

Cloud 9

Vanilla Sky

Bliss

Hurricane Charlie

White Lightening

FEARS FOR THE FUTURE

“My biggest concern is younger children coming in contact with them and what it might perpetuate them to do and what crimes they might commit.” — Capt. Elijah Massey, Harrisburg police

“It’s the unknown of what you’re dealing with. Here you have someone in an extreme state of agitation, prone to violence, thinking whatever, and you may have no real attempt to talk them down. It’s extremely scary.” — Jeff Geibel, supervisor of Drug and Alcohol Programs for the PA Department of Drug and Alcohol

“From what we’re hearing from kids, some of the stories of people all over the country doing crazy things really freaked them out. I think it might have tapered the interest. Kids were saying ‘What, are you going to turn into a zombie if you do it?’¤” — Mavis Nimoh, director of Dauphin County Drugs and Alcohol Department

“Right now, we currently have a softening of attitude toward gateway drugs, particularly marijuana. What’s troubling is the unknown and the unpredictability.” — Sally Kammerer, director of Cumberland-Perry Drug and Alcohol Commission

“The manufacturers of these synthetic chemicals are not regulated by anyone. The ability to educate folks — parents, educators, people who are in contact with young people — about the dangers of these drugs is what’s really important.” — Andrew Sullivan, president and CEO of Mazitti and Sullivan Counseling

“I don’t know if there’s a relationship between mental health issues and substance abusers, but I think there’s some connection. I’m not sure if they’re trying to treat their own issues or not, but using these drugs long term affects the neurotransmitters in the brain and continued exposure can lead to changes.” — Dr. Rupen Modi, emergency physician

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